By Mark Weasley
Toby Alderweireld will join Manchester United this summer from Tottenham if the club ups their offer to £70m, according to a report by Daily Express.
The 29-year-old centre-back, who is currently in Russia with the Belgian national team for the World Cup, is one player Jose Mourinho wants to bring to Old Trafford, though both clubs are far apart in their valuation.
With Alderweireld having just two years left on his contract, United are unwilling to offer more than £50m for his services, while the North Londoners feel £70m is right for a player of his quality.
The classy centre-back endured a difficult season last term with The Lilywhites, struggling with injury and reportedly falling out with Mauricio Pochettino.
It is believed that he is ready to leave the club this summer, with Mourinho looking to partner him with Ivorian defender, Eric Bailly.
Mauricio Pochettino used the pair of Davinson Sanchez and Jan Vertonghen for large parts of the season even when Alderweireld returned to full fitness.
Despite boasting one of the best defences in the league in the last two years, Mourinho wants more quality additions that can help bridge the gap between us and City.
Alderweireld is composed on the ball and capable of picking accurate passes into wide areas, which the likes of Chris Smalling and Phil Jones don’t. Equally though, he has proven he can perform well in the Premier League and might be considered a safer option than Victor Lindelöf, who would be the other contender to partner Bailly.
He will be a good addition to United; but first we’ve got to pay full price.
